Florence in Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Road to Zion

— Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail —

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 8, 2015

1. The Road to Zion Marker

Inscription. From the late 1840s through the 1860s, an exodus of more than 70,000 Mormons passed by here on their way to their "New Zion" in Utah. Starting from Nauvoo, Illinois in February 1846, the first group of at least 13,000 Mormons crossed into Iowa to escape religious persecution, then spent the next winter in the area of present-day Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1847, Brigham Young led an advance party of 143 men, 2 women, and 3 children along the Platte River. At Fort Bridger, Wyoming they departed from the Oregon Trail to head southwest to the Great Salt Lake. Thousands of other Mormons soon followed. Today, a marked 1,624-mile auto tour route closely parallels their historic trek.

From 1856-60, many European converts walked more than 1,200 miles to Salt Lake City pushing and pulling handcarts (right) loaded with 500 pounds of supplies After 1860, the Mormon church sponsored oxen-drawn wagons to bring emigrants to the "New Zion".

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 41° 20.622′

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N, 95° 57.737′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It is in Florence. It is at the intersection of McKinley Street and 30th Street, on the left when traveling east on McKinley Street. Marker located across from The Florence Mill. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Omaha NE 68112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Crossroads to the West: (a few steps from this marker); The Florence Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); A Meeting House for the Saints (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mormon Pioneer Trail / A Meeting House For The Saints (about 400 feet away); Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); From Indian Lands to the Golden Gate (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Little Town That Dreamed of Greatness (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Bank of Florence (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Florence Mill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 8, 2015

2. The Road to Zion Marker

The Florence Mill is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,193 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.